What Might an Executive Order on Abortion Do?

In a last-minute deal to win over Democratic holdouts, the president may
agree to sign an executive order about abortion funding. "We're close
but we're not there yet," said Rep. Bart Stupak to The Hill. The pro-life Democrat says
he'll deliver the remaining votes necessary to pass health reform if the
bill includes tougher abortion restrictions. An executive order
specifying "no public funding for abortion" could satisfy Stupak and other
conservative Democrats. What might this eleventh-hour promise do?
Here's what pundits are projecting:

Cause the Pro-Choice Caucus to Revolt, writes Sean Trende at Real Clear Politics: "This is
probably the key. Part of the reason Stupak language was removed from
the bill is that some 40 members promised to vote against a final
conference report if it contained Stupak language. If Obama makes some
sort of executive order promise in order to bring Stupak on board, keep
an eye on Diana DeGette (Denver), Nita Lowey (Westchester County), and
Mike Quigley (Chicago)."

Insert Language that Is Redundant, notes pro-choice Allison Kilkenny at True/Slant:
"Democratic officials have said they are pursuing the idea of promising
that Obama would issue an executive order prohibiting the use of
taxpayer money for abortions, an utterly redundant move that is already
addressed in the Hyde Amendment."

Falsely Assure Stupak the Bill Is Pro-Life, writes
conservative Jennifer Rubin at Commentary. She argues that
if the bill is singed into law, no executive order can nullify
statutory requirements in the bill. "In the list of deceptions... this
one ranks up there. No, you haven’t forgotten your basic civics. An
executive order cannot countermand a statute passed by Congress and
signed by the president. If ObamaCare says, 'We will subsidize
abortion,' no executive order can effectively say, 'but not really.'
Others point out that an executive order could be
rescinded by a second executive order.